360° walkaround deck sportfishing boat

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, including a deck member for providing a standing and walking surface, a bridge member positioned interior of the deck member, and wherein the deck member extends around a complete perimeter of the bridge member and wherein the deck member is unobstructed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/428,833, filed on Nov. 25, 2002, entitled 360° WALKAROUND DECK SPORTFISHING BOAT.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates generally to a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat incorporating a walkway on the deck around the bridge and its method of manufacture. More specifically, the 360° walkaround deck is made to permit fishermen to circumnavigate the deck without interference from the bridge or its associated structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The typical low-profile sports boat includes a forward cabin that affords a protected living and storage area, the boundary of the foredeck covering the cabin being provided with a bow rail. Also included is an aft cockpit having a depressed deck or sole from which one may fish, the cockpit also being usable to stow fishing gear and other equipment.

[0004] In a boat of this low-profile type, interposed between the forward cabin and the aft cockpit is a control station which houses compasses as well as radio and electronic navigation equipment, the control panel being provided with all necessary steering and speed controls from which one may operate the boat from an adjacent pilot seat. Because the control station in a small boat effectively blocks the foredeck, access thereto from the cockpit is difficult and the foredeck space is often wasted or under-utilized.

[0005] In the low-profile type boat, the control station is next to one side of the boat and secured to the cabin bulkhead; but in many sports boats, the control station is centered and freestanding, this arrangement being usually referred to as a center console. The advantage of a center console is that it permits piloting from the center with equal visibility on either side thereof. Additionally, it makes possible a complete walk-around capability, this being desirable in a fishing craft.

[0006] In existing embodiments of low-profile fishing craft, whether the control station is on one side or centered, because it is situated below the foredeck level and is at about the same level as the depressed deck or sole of the cockpit, visibility from this station is restricted and leaves much to be desired in other respects. Moreover, since the door to the foreward cabin is normally centered, problems with cabin door placement and access are created when the boat incorporates a center console.

[0007] In a high-profile boat, this drawback may be overcome by installing controls in a flybridge on top of the raised deck. In the case of low-profile boats, it is sometimes the practice to erect a tower above the control station and to equip this tower with a duplicate set of steering and speed controls.

[0008] A low-profile boat with an elevated tower gives the pilot enhanced visibility in all directions, but it adds materially to the weight of the boat and to construction costs, and such towers are difficult to climb and represent a hazard in rough weather. Moreover, a pilot stationed on a tower does not have easy access to either the cockpit or the foredeck for purposes of fishing or to carry out docking and anchoring operations. In a small fishing boat, the pilot's function is not limited to navigation alone, and often constitutes the entire working staff and must therefore be able to reach any quarter of the boat without encountering obstacles.

[0009] Thus, there is a need for a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat incorporating a walkway on the deck around the bridge and a method for manufacturing the same. It is preferred that the 360° walkaround deck be constructed to permit fishermen to circumnavigate the deck without interference from the bridge or its associated structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned needs for a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat incorporating a walkway on the deck around the bridge and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, including a deck member for providing a standing and walking surface, a bridge member positioned interior of the deck member, and wherein the deck member extends around a complete perimeter of the bridge member and wherein the deck member is unobstructed.

[0012] The present invention is additionally directed to a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, including a hull member, a deck member positioned on the hull member, for providing a standing and walking surface, a bridge member positioned interior of the deck member, and wherein the deck member extends around a first complete perimeter of the hull member and around a second complete perimeter of the bridge member and wherein the deck member is unobstructed.

[0013] The present invention is further directed to a method for manufacturing a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, the method including the steps of positioning a deck member on a hull member to provide a standing and walking surface, positioning a bridge member interior of the deck member, and wherein the deck member extends around a first complete perimeter of the hull member and around a second complete perimeter of the bridge member and wherein the deck member is unobstructed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014]FIG. 1 is a top view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustration of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as sportfishing vessel 10. Sportfishing vessel 10 includes a bridge member 12, a deck member 14, and a hull member 16.

[0017] Bridge member 12 incorporates the various controls required to operate sportfishing vessel 10. Additionally, bridge member 12 is positioned interior of a deck member 14.

[0018] Deck member 14 extends around a complete perimeter of bridge member 12 and provides for the unobstructed passage of fishermen or other occupants around bridge member 12. By providing unobstructed passage around the complete perimeter of bridge member 12, fishermen are capable of moving around sportfishing vessel 10 without impedance to the fishing process. Such unrestricted movement is beneficial to the fishermen because it allows for better maneuverability in efforts to obtain a hooked fish.

[0019] Hull member 16 provides an attachment structure to secure deck member 14.

[0020] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications are to the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, comprising: a deck member for providing a standing and walking surface; a bridge member positioned interior of said deck member; and wherein said deck member extends around a complete perimeter of said bridge member and wherein said deck member is unobstructed.
 2. A 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, comprising: a hull member; a deck member positioned on said hull member, for providing a standing and walking surface; a bridge member positioned interior of said deck member; and wherein said deck member extends around a first complete perimeter of said hull member and around a second complete perimeter of said bridge member and wherein said deck member is unobstructed.
 3. A method for manufacturing a 360° walkaround deck for a sportfishing boat, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a deck member on a hull member to provide a standing and walking surface; positioning a bridge member interior of said deck member; and wherein said deck member extends around a first complete perimeter of said hull member and around a second complete perimeter of said bridge member and wherein said deck member is unobstructed. 